Gas generating apparatus



ug. 13, 1940. G, w, DlcK l 2,211,005

GAS GENRATING APPARATUS V Filed June 27, 1936 Patented AugrlS, n i I UNITED STATES PATENT oli-FICE l GAS GENEnllis APPARATUS I George W. Dick, Lima, Ohio This invention relates to gas generating appatank, heat in the above amount must be absorbed ratus and more particularly to improved means from some source in order to permit the transfor progressively converting a highly volatile fuel formation from liquid to vapor. This heat comes such as butane from its liquid to its gaseous orfrom the exposed top surface of the fuel, and

It contemplates more especially the provision with 4fuel which is warm enough to permit its of simple means for imparting agitation or cirvaporization, and through the principle of my v culation to the highly volatile fuel such as butane method and structure, this circulation is repeated 10 lize the heat of the surrounding medium to probrought into intimate contact with the shell of gressively effect its transversion from a liquid the tank, which is of a higher temperature, and to a gaseous or vapor state. the warmer fuel which has not been subjected Numerous types of devices have heretofore been to the chilling effect f Vaporization being 15 proposed for vaporizing fuel, but these are inbrOught to thesurface. etliclent, expensive, and embody intricate instrul One object of the present invention is to simmentalities. Highly volatile fuel such las butane plify the construction and improve the operation is most efficiently consumed in its gaseous' state, of devcesfor converting highly volatile fuelsand the simplified vaporization thereof renders such as butane into a vapor or gaseous state. such more adaptable as a fuel for both domestic Another object iS t0 provide Simple-inexpenand commercial purposes, sive and more eficient apparatus for converting Obviously, most fuels can be vaporized by the liquid butane into a gas for eventual consump application of extraneous heat which substan- 171011 Without the aid .0f extraneous heat. tially enhances the cost of such fuel treatment Still another Object iS t0 provide a Simple de- 25 and otherwise complicates the instrumentalities vice for association with a storage tank that will that are necessary for eifecting the conversion. progressively convert liquid butane to a gaseous With the teachings of the instant invention, it is fuel without exercising any care, supervision or proposed to utilize the heat inherent in a storage utilizing any intricate mechanism. tank that is preferably positioned in the ground A further object iS t0 Provide a Simple and 30 below the frost line so that the heat from the elcient device for converting liquid butane into surrounding earth may be utilized for conversion a gaseous fuel without entailing any labor, i11- of liquid butane to its gaseousor vapor state. strumentalities requiring maintenance, or other Butane is a by-product of gasolineand has a expensive expedients. boiling point of 33 F. It is the most suitable A still further object is to provide a simple and 35 gas utilizable with the teachings offthnstant inexpensive expedient for progressively convertinvention for the purpose set forth, since pentane ing liquid butane into a gaseous state prior to or commercial gasoline has a boiling point of the consumption thereof. 94 F. while propane has a boiling point of minus Still a further object is to provide a storage 40 F. Consequently, oi these three related fuels, container with instrumentalities of a simple, in- 40 butane is most suitable i'or conversion into a expensive and xed type which progressively vapor or gaseous state for emcient consumption converts liquid butane into a gas responsive to to fulll commercial requirements. its consumption Without requiring any labor,

It has been found that the normal ground temexpensive instrumentalities, or a plurality of perature below the frost line is ordinarily above liquid fuels to render this accomplishment 45 the boiling point of butane. In consequence possible. n thereof, butane is :confined in a tank that is An additional object is to provide stationary buried in the ground below the frost line in any means in connection with a tank or container locality in order` to impart to the fuel the same for effecting, the circulation of its contents so as temperature as the surrounding earth. The fuel to absorb the heat from the surrounding medium lwill remain at the same temperature as the surfor conversion of highly volatile fuels such as rounding earth so long as the vapor is not withbutane into vapor or gaseous state. drawn from the tank. The latent heat of vapor- Other objects and advantages will appear from ization of butane is approximately 830 B. t. u. per the following description of an illustrative emgallon, and as gas or vapor is drawn from the bodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional view in elevation of a storage tank embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along line lI-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view in elevation of a modified embodiment of the present invention.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a tank I0 which is of standard design and may vary within a wide range to provide diiierent capacities depending upon the dictates of commercial practice and the requirements of any particular installation. The tank I0 is usually constructed to provide a cylindrical body Il having circular end enclosures I2 and I3 which are welded or otherwise attached to the cylindrical body II to hermetically seal the ends thereof for confinement of liquid, gas or other substances without any possible escape therefrom other than through its discharge orifice provided for that purpose.

In the present embodiment, the body II of the tank I0 is provided with threaded flanges I4 and I5 fixed along a top longitudinal median line thereof to enable the attachment of pipes I6 and Il, respectively, which are in threaded engagement therewith. As shown, the pipes IS and I'l have extensions I8 and I9 confined within the tank Ill so as to define the filling level to which the tank III is charged with any liquid. Hand valves 20 and 2l are provided in the intake pipes I6 and il which extend upwardly so that the tank I0 may be submerged in the conflning earth or ground 22 below the frost line thereof so that the walls will be in direct contact therewith to absorb the heat therefrom.

Obviously, the frost line varies in different localities depending uponclimatic conditions so that the depth to which the tank Ill is submerged depends entirely upon local conditions which are easily determined for any particular installation. It is worthy of note that the hand valves 2li and 2l are disposed above the ground 22 so as to be taken substantially exteriorly accessible for manual control so that the tank Ill may be charged with the liquid fuel such as butane through the pipes it and l" in the customary and well known manner. Further elaboration on the precise method of supplying butane to the tank is thought unnecessary' in that this is effected in a manner well known in the art to supply a highly combustible liquid 23 to a maximum level such as defined by the line 2li coincident with the lower extremities of the intake pipe extensions iii and I9 so as to provide sufficient space 25 above the maximum initial liquid line 2li within the tank Iii.

Another pipe 26 is in threaded engagement with a flange 2l' welded or otherwise fixed to the body II preferably though not essentially in longitudinal alignment with the flanges f4 and I5 described supra. The pipe 2t serves to convey the gaseous fuel from the space 2E to any suitable burner or other apparatus for consumption or use depending upon the purpose of any particular installation. It is proposed to convey only gaseous or vaporous fuel through lthe pipe 25 from the vapor space 25 situated above the maximum initial liquid fuel line 22. This requires the progressive conversion of the liquid fuel 23 to a vapor or gaseous state responsive to the consumption of the vapor fuel that is'conveyed through the pipe 26, it being well known and recognized that vapor or gaseous fuel is far more eilicient for consumption than liquid fuel.

To this end the tank I0 is, in this instance, provided with a. bulkhead 28 comprising a circular flanged disk that corresponds in diameter with the interior of the tank III for welded joinder therewith around the periphery thereof. The bulkhead 28 is welded or otherwise secured to the interior of the tank I0 more proximate to the end I3 thereof to define a comparatively small chamber 29 and a comparatively larger chamber 30, the latter being in communication with the pipe 26 for withdrawing vapor fuel from the space 25 above the liquid fuel level 24. In order to establish comingiing of the liquid. 23 with the interior surface walls of the tank I0, fuel conduction and transmission between the chambers 29 and 30 is desired. An exchange of fuel from one to the other of the chambers 29 and 30 converts the liquid fuel 23 to a gaseous or vapor state for passage through the pipe 26 that leads to the consumer.

To accomplish this end the chamber 29 is, in this instance, provided with a tubular memberv such as a pipe 3I that extends downwardly through the top thereof and terminates just short of the bottom 32 of the tank Il'I. The pipe 3| is attached to a flange 33 provided in the top wall Ii of the tank IIl so as to afford the engagement of an external pipe 34 therewith. The external pipe 32 communicates with the internal pipe and preferably though not essentially extends around the end I3 of the tank II to penetrate the earth 22 for a distance substantially below the bottom 32 of the tank IIl. The distance to which the pipe 32 extends downwardly into the earth 22 is not of any critical significance, the purpose being to have the pipe 33 absorb the heat of the surrounding earth as the liquid fuel 23 passes there through.

As shown, the pipe 3i eventually terminates its downward penetration and thereupon extends horizontally to provide a communicating pipe section 35 which extends for the length greater than the tank IIl so as to provide a communication section 3S upwardly around the end I2 of the tank I0. This increased length of piperwill receive appreciable heat from the surrounding earth 22 and transmit such to the fuel 23 passing through the pipe sections 3l, 34, 35 and 36 which has an offset portion 3l engaging a flangeASii xed to the top of the tank II proximate to the end I2 thereof. Another internal pipe section 39 is fixed to the flange 3B to establish communication with the external pipe 31 and provide a vertically depending portion that terminates in an elbow llproximate to the bottom 32 of the tank II near the end i2 thereof.

Another pipe 4I extends horizontally proximate to the bottom 32 of the tank II'J and is in threaded engagement with the depending pipe elbow Ill) so as to communicate therewith and receive the fuel 23 that passes therethrough from the chamber 29 into the chamber 30. The pipe il preferably is provided with a plurality nf apertures 42 along the length thereof so that Die fuel will be discharged therefrom for contact with the interior surface of the tank Ill and absorb more heat from this surrounding medium. In consequence thereof, the vapor fuel confined above the liquid fuel level 2li in the chamber 25 will force the liquid fuel 23 upwardly through the pipe 3i for conduction along the pipe sections 32, 35, 36 and 31 along whichrpatlf the surrounding earth gives up its heat to elevate the temperature of the fuel that passes through these p pes.

'I'he heated fuel is rst transmitted through the' external pipe sections 33 andv 4I- to vthe chamber 30 so as to trickle through the liquid 23 con'-` ned therein and provide effective agitation, circulation and comingling with the other particles of liquid i'uel23'inv the chamber. 30 so as to substantially increase the rate of conversion from l its liquid to its vapor state. A check valve 43 is mountedin the bulkhead2l near the bottom 32 of the tank and provides for the transfer of liquid fuel 23 from the chamber 30 to the chamber 29 so that the liquid in both of these chambers will be at substantially the same level.

'I'he check valve 43 is of any standard or approved construction and provides for the direc-` tional transfer of the liquid 23 from the'chamber v 30 to the chamber 29, but it does not permit its return therethrough. In order to increase the conduction of the heat from the earth 22 to the 'interior of the tank I0, it is desirable to provide a plurality of angle irons or flanges u, in this instance two, that extend longitudinally along `the tank I 0 in the chamber 30 thereof for attachment thereto so as to increase the -radiating surface and thus conduct more heat from the earth 22 to the interior of the tank l.

Further, a plurality of plates 45, in this instance two, may extend radially from the exterior of the tank I0 (Figure 2) so as to increase the surface area of the tank body Il and provide increased conduction of the heat to the interior thereof. Any number of these angle irons and plates 44 and 45 may be provided both interiorly and exteriorly of the tank- I0 within the dictates of commercial practice, such being optional and depending upon the size of the tank l0 and conditions surrounding any particular installation. In the modified embodiment shown in Figure 3, the tank l0' has a cylindrical body I l with the end enclosures I2 and i3. The bulkhead 28' is provided therein so as to define compartments 29 and 30'. Instead of having the pipes 3 I-34- 35-36-31-39-4I defining a circuitous path around the exterior of the tank I0 as shown .and described in connection with the preferred embodiment illustrated and shown in Figures l and 2, an elongated pipe 4I' may be attached to the bulkhead 28 proximate to the bottom 32' of the tank I0'. The pipe 4l' establishes communication between the chambers29-30', and it extends laterally for a substantial distance in the chamber 30 and proximate to the bottom 32 thereof. The pipe 4l' is provided with a plurality of apertures I2' along the length thereof so as to provide discharge orifices for the liquid I234' that is exchanged between the chambers 29' and 30'. With this arrangement of parts, the pressure of the gaseous fuel 25 upon the liquid 23 in the chamber 29' will force the liquid 23 along the pipe 4| and discharge such through the apertures 4,2' so as to rise through the liquid 2 3' in the chamber 30 and progressively convert such into a gaseous state. 'I'his takes place,1 whenever any gaseous fuel is withdrawn through" the pipe 26' that leads to the consumer. 'I'his constant circulation and recirculation of the liquid 23' between the chambers 29 and 30', effects agitation, circulation and comingling of the warm particles of liquid fuel with the colder particles of liquid fuel to the end of converting such toa gaseous or vapor state and thus fill the unoccupied portion of the tank Il)` with the gaseous fuel 25'.

The'- ra'dial anges 44 may also be provided said gas space, and

`volatile liquid fuels such ing surface area of the tank Win much the same'way as provided and described-in connec- -tionfwith the embodimentshown in Figures 1 and -2. vVarious changes may be made' in the embodiment of j the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any `and open by-pass means extending between said chambers to provide for the flow of said lfuel along a circuitous path betweensaid chambers for increasing the heat absorption from the wall of said tank for the purpose set forth.

2. In a device of the character described,-the

combination with a tank for confining a highlyA volatile fuel, of a bulkhead in said tank defining separate-adjacent chambers therein, intake pipes extending through the top of said tank and terminating at a predetermined level in one of said chambers to supply liquid fuel to said level so as to define a gas space therefor, outlet means -in the. chamber 30 to increase the heat absorb- 'y l `features thereof, and nothing herein fshall be l at the top of said tank for communication with tubular means communicating between said chambers, said tubular means comprising an external pipe encircling said tank and lodged in the earth therebelow to establish communication between said chambers for effecting the flow of fuel therebetween when gaseous fuel is withdrawn through said outlet means, thereby converting liquid fuel to gaseous fuel before the withdrawal thereof through said outlet means. f

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tank for confining highly volatile liquid fuels, of a partition inl said tank proximate to one end thereof to define a large and small chamber adjacent each other, a tube mounted in said partition to establish restricted communication between said chambers to enable the now of fuel from one chamber to another, said tube extending into the larger chamber proximate to the bottom thereof, said tube having apertures provided therein along the length thereof, means for partially filling said chambers with liquid fuel to provide a gas space thereabove in each of said chambers, and means communicating with said gas space in one of said chambers to withdraw gaseous fuel from said tank and progressively convert the liquid fuel to a vapor or gaseous state.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tank for confining highly as butane, of a bulkhead in said tank proximate to one end thereof to define a large and small chamber adjacent liquid fuel from one chamber to another so as to effect fuel agitation, circulation'and increased heat absorption from said tank for the progressive conversion of liquid fuel to its gaseous or vapor state.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tank for confining highly volatile liquid fuels such as butane, of a bulk head in said tank proximate to one end thereof to define a large and small chamber adjacent each other, there being a restricted port in said bulkhead for enabling said chambers to be partially filled with liquid fuel to substantially the same level so as to provide a gas means thereabove in each of said chambers, means communicating with the gas space in said larger chamber to withdraw gaseous fuel therefrom, a pipe extending externally around said tank with the extremities thereof communicating with each of said chambers, and a tube extending along and proximate to the bottom of said larger chamber for communicating with the extremity of said external pipe that extends in said last named chamber to provide for the flow of liquid fuel from said smaller chamber through said bottom tube and into said larger chamber so as to effect fuel agitation, circulation and increased heat absorption from said tank for the progressive conversion of liquid fuel to its gaseous or vapor state.

GEORGE W. DICK. 

